Event Tips

Whether you’re celebrating a survivor or memorializing someone, sharing your love for them will remind your guests that this event has an important purpose. There are many ways to shine a light on them directly or indirectly: include their name in the event title (i.e. Leonard Smith Memorial Golf Event), add their photo and/or story to your fundraising page, hold your event on a special anniversary or their birthday, chose an event activity that they enjoyed or music they liked and include a photo of them at the event with a basket of purple ribbons for guests. Get creative and keep it classy!

When planning your event, consider the perspective of a guest and not the organizer. From food selection to music and auction items, make choices that are inclusive for your crowd. Consider whether you’re hosting an event for young students or an older community, at a professional location or a casual atmosphere, should the event being longer or shorter to hold their attention? These details may influence the decisions you make.

While entertainment options may seem like they’ll cut into your net proceeds, it can be an exciting investment or, better yet, the services can be donated outright. A local band, tunes played by a DJ or simple background music can break up the time or keep them dancing and singing. An entertaining Master of Ceremonies could be a family member or a member of your community comfortable speaking in public. Whether it’s music, face painting or a dance troupe, there’s a lot of talent out there. Share the purpose of your event and the entertainer may offer to donate their time to show support.

Adding an auction or chance drawing/raffle is an exciting activity and items can be donated! Reach out to local shops and restaurants to donate gift cards or items. In-kind donations can be tax deductible - ask us for more details!  As with any fundraising event, your guests will bid on items or trips that interest them. Larger or exciting items can draw higher bids but a two-dollar raffle ticket will help you fundraise too. *Restrictions on raffle items may exist in your state so do a little research before you begin collecting in-kind donations.

Ask a few friends or family friends to help you begin planning. It will take the pressure off you so you can split up tasks. This will also give you more than one perspective when planning if you enjoy brainstorming. Ensure your sign-in/registration table is adequately staffed to prevent your guests from having to stand in line when they arrive. Make sure volunteers understand their responsibilities and are available to assist on event day.

Offer more than one way to give. Often a registration fee will help you cover costs so give consideration to how you’ll raise money to advance research and support patient programs directly. Ask for a suggested donation (amount is flexible) or a specific amount, hold an auction or raffle with donated items, ask for pledges if you accomplish a goal (i.e. completing a 5k). You can diversify the ways that you solicit donations based on the type of event you’re hosting.

Creating a fundraising event is an exciting journey for every host, however, the day of the event is an incredibly special experience for everyone in attendance. Photos are not only fun to share with guests post-event, they’re also great for promoting a future event. If you’re unable to retain the free services of a professional photographer, make sure to either use a quality camera or a camera on your phone. Save your original photos in hi-resolution (without filters) on your smart phone or other device and remember to send a few to us too!

Whether you are celebrating a survivor or memorializing someone you love, sharing your love for them will remind your guests that this event has an important purpose. There are many ways to shine a light on them directly or indirectly: include their name in the event title, add their photo and/or story to your fundraising page, hold your event on a special anniversary or their birthday, chose an event activity that they enjoyed or music they liked and include a photo of them at the event with a basket of purple ribbons for guests. Get creative and keep it classy!

When planning an event, take a moment to consider your idea from the guests’ perspective and not as the organizer. A virtual event moves the traditional in-person experience to online activities, fundraising and camaraderie.  Make choices while considering the people you are inviting. Are your guests familiar with Zoom, Facebook or other online platforms? How can you simplify the experience by sharing activity instructions and details in advance? Do they need to upload a game app to their phones, have a yoga matt handy or food items at the ready? Your answers to questions like theses may influence the decisions you make when planning your virtual event.

Virtual entertainment options are less likely to cut into your net proceeds since your event is the entertainment. Playing background music may be distracting but you can play a video or share photos with your guests on some platforms. Ask one of your most sociable friends to co-host and act as the MC to introduce key guests, fill quiet moments or get people talking to each other. Consider the many options available to have fun and entertain your guests.

Restrictions on raffling off items may exist in your state or online, however holding an auction just as people do on sites like E-Bay can help you with your fundraising. Do a little research on adding an auction component to your event. Hold an online garage sale or reach out to local shops and restaurants to make in-kind donations appealing to your guests.

Ask a few friends or family friends to help you begin planning. It will take the pressure off you so you can split up tasks. This will also give you more than one perspective as you brainstorm with your team. Make sure volunteers understand their responsibilities and that they have time to meet (by phone, online or in-person) as often as necessary. Ask them to participate on event day, share on social media and help you fundraise. Volunteers can be helpful leaders when you utilize their strengths.

Offer more than one way to give. Consider how you will raise money to advance research and support patient programs directly. Ask for a suggested donation (amount is flexible) or a specific amount, hold an auction or ask for pledges. You can diversify the ways that you solicit donations based on the type of event you are hosting.

Event day is an incredibly special experience for everyone in attendance and photos are not only fun to share with guests post-event, they are also great for promoting a future event. Today most people have a smart phone they can use to take selfies. Invite guests to selfies at their remote locations or, if you are hosting on a site like Zoom, ask guests to pose while you take screen shots on your computer throughout the event. Ask your guests to send you their original photos without filters and then share a few with us after the event and with your community to celebrate your successes!